Porsche increases green focus with second hybrid

Porsche is launching a hybrid version of its new Panamera model as it increases its focus on the environment. The German marque unveiled a hybrid Cayenne SUV at last year’s Frankfurt Motorshow that uses a third less fuel than a conventional model.

Porsche says the hybrid Panamera Gran Turismo will be the first four-door sports model to feature hybrid technology. It can be driven in a number of different modes, including “all-electric drive” with no emissions. The Panamera Gran Turismo will make its world debut next year with the hybrid version to follow “depending on market requirements”.

Marketing Week revealed last year that Porsche was overhauling its marketing strategy to put more focus on the environment and was considering launching hybrid versions of all its high-performance cars (MW September 16, 2006).

The European Commission wants car manufacturers to slash carbon dioxide emissions to 120g per km and Porsche GB brand communications and strategy manager Wayne Darley said at the time: “The environment presents quite a challenge for Porsche but we are moving in that direction. We have got to find a way of driving down emissions in cars that are way above the threshold.”